Mark Hutchings and Brendon Ah Chee, two West Coast delistings, along with flag hero Nathan Vardy, have been fired from the Eagles, and the big man decides to retire.
Three changes to the roster for 2022 have been confirmed by WEST Coast: the departure of rookie Brendon Ah Chee and premiership players Mark Hutchings and Nathan Vardy.
After the Eagles came out of quarantine to begin their exit discussions this week, Hutchings and Ah Chee were not given new contracts. Vardy, 30, has announced his retirement.
With numerous Eagles also out of contract, they join retired Premiership forward Dan Venables in leaving the team, bringing the total number of changes to four at this point.
Craig Vozzo, the football manager, stated that the three had been “highly valued and popular players”.
“Mark taught a great deal of younger players about professionalism and selflessness. He put the team before himself and gave everything he had,” Vozzo remarked.
“After not having much luck with his body in his early career, Nathan moved over from Geelong. He played some fantastic football, most notably in 2018 following Nic’s injury, and he was a key component of the team’s success.
“And as well as his playing achievements, Brendon will leave a legacy with his leadership among our Indigenous players as well.”
Respected for his work ethic at West Coast, Hutchings was a reliable run-with player who appeared in 120 games over nine seasons.
In the 2018 Grand Final, the 30-year-old sensationally stopped Collingwood player Steele Sidebottom, winning a premiership medal in the process.
WHO’S CALLED IT QUITS delistings and retirements in 2021
After moving from Geelong to the West Coast, Vardy played 52 games in five seasons, culminating in a career total of 77 games. He was also a key player of the 2018 premiership squad.
Ah Chee,27, played 31 of his 58 career games for the Eagles as a half-forward and midfielder after joining the team from Port Adelaide prior to the 2018 campaign.
